Calla lily plant named ‘Royal Plum’

ABSTRACT

‘Royal Plum’ is a new variety of calla lily plant having red-purple colored spathes. The flower stems are strong and long lasting. The leaves are green with maculations present.

Botanical classification: Zantedeschia sprengeri.

Varietal denomination: ‘Royal Plum’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of callalily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Royal Plum’.

‘Royal Plum’ is a product of a planned breeding program having theobjective of creating Zantedeschia varieties for pot flower productionin a wide range of colors and classic flower shapes. ‘Royal Plum’ wasselected in 2010 in Moss Landing, Calif. as an inbred seedling selectedfrom an open-pollinated population and self-pollinated for manygenerations. As such, its exact parentage is unknown and comparisonsthereto cannot be provided.

The new variety was first asexually reproduced through tissue cultureshoot propagation in October of 2011 in Moss Landing, Calif. Asexualreproductions of ‘Royal Plum’ have demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety are retained andreproduced true to type through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in 15 cm pots at 77 days from planting in 't Zand, The Netherlandsunder greenhouse conditions, which approximate those generally used inhorticultural practice. Color references are made to The 2001 R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, 4^(th)Edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance areused.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations inenvironment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to bebasic characteristics of ‘Royal Plum’ which, in combination, distinguishthis calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Red-purple colored spathes;    -   2. Strong peduncles; and    -   3. Leaf maculations present.

Table 1 provides a comparison of ‘Royal Plum’ to similar Zantedeschiasprengeri varieties ‘Twilight’ (unpatented) and ‘California Red’(unpatented). Further, the plant and spathes are taller than those of‘Twilight’.

TABLE 1 Comparison Present variety Comparison variety Differing trait(s)expression expression ‘Twilight’ Spathe color Lavender Red-Purple GroupRHS 61A to 61B (upper surface) and 71B to 71C (lower surface) Pedunclestrength 14 days to 28 days to nodding nodding ‘California Red’ LeafNone present Present maculations

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety at 77days from planting, with the colors being as nearly true as is possiblewith color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Type: Deciduous.-   Form: Semi-spreading.-   Average spread: 28-33 cm.-   Branch number: Average.-   Branch color: Yellow-Green Group RHS 144B to 144C.-   Height of leaf canopy above the soil: 7-10 cm.-   Height of top of inflorescences above the soil: 21-28 cm.-   Number of inflorescences per tuber: 16-18 cm in diameter: 8-12.-   Lastingness of inflorescences on the plant: About 14 days.-   Main use: Potted plant and cut flower.-   Average time of flowering: Tubers planted in the field in May in 't    Zand, The Netherlands bloom in July. Tubers planted in a greenhouse    in February in 't Zand, The Netherlands bloom in April.-   Disease/pest resistance: Strong tolerance to Pythium root rot and    Erwinia bulb soft rot.-   Hardiness: Not tested.-   Leaves:    -   -   Number per plant.—12-20.        -   Width.—6.5-8 cm, with broadest position in the middle.        -   Length.—17-21 cm.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group RHS 147A, with            Greyed-Green Group RHS 195C to 195D maculations present.            Lower surface: Yellow-Green Group RHS 147B, with            Greyed-Green Group RHS 196C to 196D maculations present.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth (both surfaces).        -   Leaf venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color: Yellow-Green Group            RHS 147B to 147C.        -   Lobes.—None present.        -   Petiole.—Length: 7-10 cm. Diameter: 10-15 mm. Texture:            Smooth. Shape: Cylindrical. Strength: Strong. Color: Upper            surface: Green Group RHS 137A to 137B. Lower surface: Green            Group RHS 138A to 138B.-   Spathe:    -   -   Length.—5-7 cm.        -   Width.—3.5-5 cm.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Shape.—Cupped.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Amplexicaul.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Color.—Throat spot: Red-Purple Group RHS 72A. Upper surface:            Red-Purple Group RHS 61A to 61B. Lower surface: Red-Purple            Group RHS 71B to 71C.-   Spadix:    -   -   Length.—20-30 mm.        -   Diameter.—6-10 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow Group RHS 12B to 12C.        -   Position relative to spathe.—Upright from base.        -   Apex.—Rounded and Yellow Group RHS 12B to 12C.        -   Pollen amount.—Abundant.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Strength.—Strong and erect, with no nodding observed until            day 28.        -   Length.—20-27 cm.        -   Diameter.—10-12 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Base: Yellow-Green Group RHS 144B to 144C. Upper            portion: Green Group RHS 143A.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number/flower.—8.        -   Length.—2.6-4.2 mm.        -   Diameter.—1.9-2.8 mm.        -   Color.—White Group RHS 155C.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Anther.—Shape: Round. Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Yellow            Group RHS 8B to 8C.        -   Filament.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: White Group RHS            155D.        -   Style.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Yellow Group RHS 8B to            8C.        -   Pistil.—Number: 15-30. Length: About 1 mm.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. Length: Less than 1 mm. Diameter: Less            than 1 mm.        -   Ovaries.—Texture: Smooth. Length: Varies between 1 to 10 mm.            Diameter: Varies between 1 to 10 mm. Color: Top: Green Group            RHS 142B to 142C. Bottom: Greyed-Red Group RHS 181B to 181C.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of calla lily plant named ‘RoyalPlum’ as herein described and illustrated.